Alliance of political parties call for a national anti-coup demonstration

An alliance of political parties in Mauritania called for a national anti-coup demonstration to be held on 4 October 2008 to demand that the military junta, which took control in a 6 August coup, return the country to constitutional rule. Representatives of the National Front of Defense and Democracy (FNDD) stated that the protest action intends to show the ruling junta that the Mauritanian people are in agreement with international organizations such as the United Nations, European Union and the African Union, which have all called for the restoration of power to deposed President Sidi Abdallahi. In response to the planned protest, junta officials announced that all demonstrations will be banned in the country. Prime Minister Moulaye Leghdaf stated in a radio interview that all demonstrations, including pro-junta gatherings, will be made illegal throughout the nation. The ruling military junta has promised to hold new elections but has not specified a date for the vote. The African Union recently presented the Mauritanian junta a deadline of 6 October to return the country to constitutional rule. Gen. Mohammed Abdelaziz immediately rejected the ultimatum. However, Prime Minister Leghdaf has indicated that he will travel to Brussels to meet with European Union officials on 10-15 October to discuss and assess the situation in Mauritania